United Council of Sheikhs and Notables of Basra and Iraq
 |
| United Council of Sheikhs and Notables of Basra and Iraq | |
|---|---|
| المجلس الموحد لشيوخ وأعيان البصرة والعراق | |
 | |
| Spokesman | Ali al-Salim[1] |
| Dates of operation | 24 December 2014[2] – present |
| Country |  Iraq |
| Headquarters | Basra |
| Ideology | Shia Islamism |
| Part of | Basra Provincial Council |
| Opponents |  Syria |
| Battles and wars | |
The United Council of Sheikhs and Notables of Basra and Iraq (Arabic: المجلس الموحد لشيوخ وأعيان البصرة والعراق) is an Arab tribal group opposed to the Syrian transitional government.[3][1][4][5][6]
History
[edit]According to the group's own social networks, it was founded on 24 December 2014.[2] On July 11, 2024 the Basra Provincial Council's Security Committee gave mandate to the group, to represent the entirety of Basra Governorate.[7] The group has received attention amid regional tensions, criticizing the Iraqi government for its perceived inaction in addressing instability in the Middle East, citing sectarian violence in Syria as a catalyst for its formation.[3]
In its early activities, the council declared a mobilization effort in Baghdad, urging the Iraqi Government to adopt a stronger stance against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a designated terrorist group operating in Syria.[1] It further emphasized the readiness of Basrawi tribes to defend Iraqi holy sites, framing this as a response to regional instability.[4] The council also advocated for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) to be heavily armed, describing them as a necessary "protective shield" for Iraqi sovereignty.[5]
In a controversial statement, the council accused Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan of empowering takfiris and terrorist organizations in Syria,
alleging that these states enabled HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani's faction to commit the most brutal crimes
.[6]
See also
[edit]Other Iraqi organizations against Syrian transitional government:
- Guardians of Truth Battalions
- Ya Ali Popular Formations
- Abbas Shield Martyrdom Forces
- Kataib Sarkhat al-Quds
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Dana Taib Menmy ــ Iraq. "Iraqi tribal leaders call for volunteers to fight Syrian army". The New Arab. Archived from the original on 21 March 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b "مجلس شيوخ وأعيان شمال البصرة". Facebook.
- ^ a b "Iraq's Basra Tribes: No to sectarian violence in Syria". Shafaq News. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b "فيديو: "مجلس شيوخ البصرة والعراق" يطالب بقطع العلاقات مع سوريا – مؤتمر صحفي". +964 (in Arabic). 18 March 2025. Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ a b "تشكيل عشائري عراقي يدعو لفتح باب التطوع لمواجهة "الجولاني"". شفق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 April 2025.
- ^ إنفوبلاس (28 July 2024). ""دكة" البصرة تُجابه بتشكيل مجلس للعشائر.. هل تَخضع الأولى لإجراءات الثاني؟". إنفوبلاس (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 April 2025.